Punch has the benevolence to announce, that in an early number of his ensuing Volume he will astonish the Parliamentary Committee by the publication of several exquisite designs, to be called Punch's Cartoons! [Punch, June 24, 1843]
以前はin (or out of) tone(14世紀後半)と表現されていた。口語的な表現to the tune of「〜の合計または額面」は1600年頃から。The tune the old cow (or cat) died of(1820年頃までに)は、旋律的でないまたは不気味な音楽や音を示すユーモラスな表現だった。